Ray Quinn Joins The Cast Of Judy

Ray Quinn.

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

International theatre producer David King is delighted to announce that Ray Quinn is joining the cast of Judy: The Songbook Of Judy Garland.

Ray was runner-up in The X-Factor in 2006. He has since triumphed in Dancing On Ice and Dancing On Ice - All Stars, and has starred in numerous West End musicals including Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing.

Judy will tour some of the UK’s finest theatres, with the UK premiere of this new musical show at the Edinburgh Playhouse on May 8 2015. Highly-acclaimed choreographer and theatre director Arlene Phillips will be the Creative Director on the production. This will be the only Judy Garland Show in the world authorised by the Judy Garland Estate.

Judy also stars Lorna Luft, Judy Garland’s daughter, together with leading West End musical theatre stars, including Louise Dearman, Rachel Stanley, Darren Bennett and more. Also appearing are Judy’s dancers - The Boyfriends, named after Judy’s original dancers of the same name.

Judy will include never-before-seen film clips and interviews together with irresistible classic hit songs from some of Judy’s hugely popular films such as A Star is Born, Meet Me In St. Louis, Easter Parade and The Wizard of Oz. The set of songs will include I Got Rhythm, The Trolley Song, The Man That Got Away, Get Happy, Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart, and the song that is synonymous with Judy Garland, Over The Rainbow. Judy is directed by Christopher Manoe.

Lorna Luft is considered to be part of Showbiz Royalty, as the daughter of Judy Garland and the half-sister of Liza Minnelli, and as a highly successful stage, film and TV actress and singer herself. She has appeared in numerous film, TV and stage shows including White Christmas, They’re Playing My Son and Babes In Arms. Lorna appeared on stage regularly with her mother as a young girl and continues to maintain a high-profile concert career.

Louise Dearman is the darling of the West End, and has performed in leading roles in many West End musicals including Wicked (where Louise was the first actress to play both the good witch and the bad witch), Glinda and Elphaba. Louise also starred in Evita, Cats and Guys and Dolls to name just a few.

Darren Bennett has appeared in numerous productions in both the West End and on tour including the current production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Aladdin, Merrily We Roll Along, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Singin’ In The Rain.

Rachel Stanley has recently finished starring as Betty Haynes in the hugely-successful production of White Christmas at London’s Dominion Theatre, and previously  played the role in Edinburgh, Manchester, Plymouth & Southampton. Rachel has also had lead roles in Annie (New Zealand and UK tour), Crazy for You and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour).

Arlene Phillips (CBE) is one of the UK’s best known choreographers, and also works regularly as a theatre director and is a well-known television personality. Arlene has worked on numerous stage productions (The Wizard Of Oz, Starlight Express, Grease), TV shows (So You Think you can Dance) and films.

Judy: The Songbook Of Judy Garland runs in the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Monday June 8-Wednesday June 10. For ticket information, click here.